Almaty Water Bodies Named That Pose Winter Danger
Almaty has stepped up winter safety efforts to prevent ice-related accidents across the city. Authorities have launched over 48 joint patrols involving rescuers, police, and emergency teams as temperatures drop and water bodies begin to freeze.
Six water bodies in Almaty have been marked as particularly dangerous this winter. These include Aeroportovskoye Lake, Shestukha Lake, May Day Ponds, an unnamed lake in the Kolsai microdistrict, Yunatskoye Lake, and another in the Karasu microdistrict. Current measurements show ice thickness ranging from just 3 to 4 centimetres in these areas, with some sections remaining completely ice-free.
Warning and prohibition signs have been placed at high-risk locations to deter people from venturing onto the ice. Thin ice remains the primary cause of winter tragedies in the city, prompting stricter enforcement of safety rules. Under local regulations, anyone caught violating water safety rules faces an administrative fine of 7 monthly calculation indices, equivalent to 27,524 tenge. Offenders can reduce the penalty by half if they pay under an expedited procedure. Officials have also reminded the public that ice is only considered safe when it reaches at least 15 centimetres thick for a single person and no less than 25 centimetres for group activities.
The city’s preventive measures come as ice conditions remain unstable across monitored water bodies. With patrols ongoing and penalties in place, authorities are urging residents to avoid frozen lakes and ponds until official safety confirmations are issued.
